More videos on the subject

France 24 journalist Camille Nedelec explores the key issues on the Spanish trial of 12 Catalan separatists, ending on Wednesday, June 12. While the decision will not be released until the autumn, several separatists have fled the country, fearing imprisonment. Nine of the 12 defendants are charged with rebellion, which carries a jail sentence of 25 years.

Oriol Junqueras' lawyer, Andreu van den Eynde, delivers plea in the final hearings in the trial of 12 Catalan leaders. Catalonia's former vice-president Oriol Junqueras risks up to 25 years in jail, the heaviest sentence. The Catalan separatist have been on trial since February 12 over their role in organising a referendum on secession, despite a court ban, which was followed by a short-lived declaration of independence in October 2017. IMAGES

According to a report by Reuters, on Thursday, Spain's Supreme Court said that it had ended its investigation against 18 Catalan independence leaders who are expected to now face trial. Nine of those leaders are reportedly being held in prison in Spain, and are expected to be tried for rebellion, which carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in jail.